The TCOC Health Website offers specific health requirements for each of our programs: Head Start, Early Head Start, and our Pregnant Women's program, specific health requirements, printable forms, and much more.

enrollment and eligibility

The TCOC Head Start Program serves preschool-aged children. To be eligible for the 2016-2017 program year a child's birthday must fall between 09/01/11-08/31/13.

Income:

For a child to be eligible for program enrollment, the "family" income must meet the 100% of poverty criteria that is determined by the Federal Government:

*For family units with more than 8 members, add $4,160.00 for each additional member to arrive at yearly amounts.

Income Exceptions:

At least 10% of program slots are reserved for children with disabilities. A child with a diagnosed disability may be considered for enrollment regardless of income.

Selection Criteria:

The Head Start Policy Council has developed criteria for selecting children for enrollment from all those that have been verified as "eligible" based on age and income criteria. The intent is to ensure that the children and families with the most need have priority for enrollment. A range of point values are awarded based on the criteria of a child's age, family composition, disability status; income and special considerations within the immediate family.

program options

The TCOC Head Start Program provides a variety of programming options to meet the needs of our families.

Center-Based:

Part-Day/Part-Year (PD/PY CB)

3 1/2 hours per day; four days/week (Monday-Thursday); school year (September-May)

Extended-Day/Part-Year (ED/PY CB)

7-8 hours per day; four or five days per week (Monday-Thursday or Monday-Friday); school year (September-May)

Full-Day/Full-Year (FD/FY CB)

9-11 hours per day; five days per week (Monday-Friday); 12 months per year, open to families working or in school on a full-time basis

head start program

The TCOC Head Start Program serves 585 children and their families in the nine Illinois Counties of Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Putnam, Stark and Whiteside.

The Head Start Program is a comprehensive child and family development program for low-income or disabled preschool aged children and their families. Main goals are to work in partnership with parents to promote self-esteem, self-confidence, and school readiness for children. Components included within the comprehensive programming include: educational services, medical health, dental health and mental health services, nutritional services, services to children with disabilities or special needs; family educational and development services; social services support and referrals; transportation.

A variety of programming options is available to meet the needs of the children and families served. These options include: part-day/part-year center based; extended-day/part-year center based; full-day/full-year center based.